Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was a master of the penalty kick during his career.
Of the 260 Premier League goals he scored, 56 of them were from the spot.
Newcastle United fans adored Alan Shearer as a player and equally so as a pundit. But there’s no doubt that Shearer will mainly be remembered for his goals during an illustrious 10-year stay on Tyneside.
Shearer’s punditry work means that he is still able to watch his beloved Newcastle every week and he also takes the time to comment about performances on social media.
Following Newcastle’s win against West Ham United on Monday night, Shearer congratulated the Magpies and shared his excitement for the upcoming Carabao Cup final.
Many may refer to Shearer as the best penalty-taker in Premier League history, given he has scored more than any other player.
In 2017, Shearer revealed exactly how to take the perfect penalty alongside former Newcastle star Matt Ritchie.
Alan Shearer gives penalty masterclass
The Newcastle legend scored some memorable goals for the Magpies, less so from the penalty spot but he was still clinical.
He scored his first penalty for Newcastle in a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in August 1994 and his last and most memorable in a 4-1 thrashing of fierce rivals Sunderland. That penalty would also be his 260th and final Premier League goal of his career.
Talking to SkySports in 2017, Shearer shared his secrets as to how to take the perfect penalty.
“I think half of it is psychology. You have to do your homework against the goalkeeper you’re taking it against. ‘Have you scored one against him before?’ I used to look at where he’d gone for his previous five penalties, looked where he dived to his right because everyone has a favourite side. Goalkeepers even look at what my favourite side was, where I put my last one because you know that the goalkeeper is also going to be studying you. But I’m a big believer in pick your spot and don’t change your mind.
“I think that’s also crucial because the one or two mistakes I made earlier in my career is that because of the pressure, because of the demand of the crowd, the situation the game is in. There was once or twice in my career where I changed my mind and that was what proved to be fatal.
“For whatever reason, I always used to try and find the valve. Don’t ask me why I have the valve at the top. I would try and pick my spot and not change my mind, find that top left or right and I believe if you get enough power on it then the goalkeeper shouldn’t really change. I’m giving my secret away to the goalkeeper, I always used to stare at the side that I wasn’t going to put it. I was always going to put it on the opposite side.”
Unsurprisingly, Shearer stepped up and scored his penalty, putting it into the side netting to his left-hand side. Ritchie also took a spot-kick, with his advice being to focus on where he was aiming and to hit it low to the bottom corner. Rather surprisingly, Ritchie’s penalty was saved by the young goalkeeper.
- READ MORE – Alan Shearer picked his best-ever Newcastle United XI in 2017, it could be completely different now
Alexander Isak must be learning from Alan Shearer
Alexander Isak has been sensational for Newcastle this season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. Throughout his Newcastle career, the Swede has also been sensational from the penalty spot.
Isak has scored 11 penalties for Newcastle since joining in 2022, missing just once. Thankfully, the penalty he missed didn’t prove costly for the Magpies who went on to beat Burnley 4-1 in the 2023/24 season.
His most recent penalty goal came in Newcastle’s FA Cup loss to Brighton. Isak would’ve still made Shearer proud with his penalty, despite the loss. It was taken exactly how Shearer said a penalty should be, powerful and into the top corner.
Shearer’s legacy will live on at Newcastle for many, many years and it’s clear to see that the current crop of players still look to him for influence.
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